India among 43 Member Associations pledge their support to promote the world’s most popular sport

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s unwavering commitment to ensure football remains Asia’s number one sport, reached yet another significant milestone when as many as 43 Member Associations (MAs) of the Confederation pledged to join the AFC Grassroots Football Day 2024.

Observed on 15th May every year, the same envisions to promote and develop football at the grassroots level, with grassroots programs and activities, providing young players with the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities to grow and develop as footballers.

This year, almost 45,000 participants spanning the length and breadth of Asia, and across age-groups, social backgrounds, and abilities, are expected to join in the celebration, upholding the Confederation’s ambitions to encourage mass participation.

Marking the highest participation since the relaxation of COVID-19 related constraints, the 11th edition will see its MAs harness the power of the beautiful game to spread joy and put smiles on the faces of children across Asia.

In India under the guidance of the AIFF, the AFC Grassroots Football Day is being celebrated as a nationwide effort, with over 22,000 participants engaging in a variety of activities spanning several weeks, including friendly tournaments and seminars aimed at promoting the development of women’s football in the country in order to promote the world’s most popular sport.  

On the other hand almost 1500 youngsters will participate in football festivals in Qatar and Uzbekistan respectively.

Similarly, MAs such as the Bhutan Football Federation, Palestine Football Association, and Mongolia Football Federation, are set to organise festivals comprising mini-tournaments and small-sided games, while the Kyrgyz Football Union will commemorate the day by conducting seminars for the region’s coaches and tutors to hone their understanding of children’s psychology and qualities required in a modern-day coach.

Moreover, the Japan Football Association will bring back the beloved Penguins Cup MAKUHARI in collaboration with the Japan Walking Football Federation, while the Guam Football Association will also include Walking Football in their celebrations along with Golf Football.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa on the occasion said, “For a decade now, the annual celebration has remained a symbol of the Confederation’s unwavering support and dedication towards the enhancement and nurturing of grassroots football across our diverse Continent. As underlined in our Vision and Mission, the AFC is resolute in its ambitions to ensure the success of our national teams and clubs on the highest stages. But to ensure this growth in a sustainable manner, we must never take our eyes off our very foundation - the grassroots.”

He further added, “There is a larger purpose to developing football at the grassroots level than just creating a pipeline of future stars. It is just as much about fostering widespread engagement and instilling a love for the sport, and using the massive potential of football to create well-rounded individuals. So, I must applaud the incredible amount of work that the various members and regional associations have undertaken to ensure that football remains accessible to all members of society, irrespective of their age, status, gender, and abilities.”

Photo Above: The grassroots programs and activities being organised as part of AFC Grassroots Football Day aims to provide young players with the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities among others to grow and develop as footballers.